CV Assistance

Introduction

Your CV is the first chance you get to make a good impression on a potential employer. A top-quality CV will considerably boost your chance of getting a face-to-face interview, so it is worth spending time and effort on the content and presentation. It will make all the difference in obtaining the position you want. You must therefore highlight your skills, expertise and value.

Employers can receive many CVs for a job which has been advertised so it is important to create a good impression to attract their attention. Most people do not spend as much time on their CV as they should, so if you write a professional, high quality CV you will stand out from the rest.

It is important when writing your CV that you keep in mind the following tips and pointers;

What to include in your CV?

Personal Details

Keep this section brief, ensuring that you are easily contactable at the details provided. E-mail addresses are important, with a large number of employers/agencies using email as their preferred contact method.

Education & Qualifications

Usually stated in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences first.
Include dates, the name of the institution and Town/Country. The order of the information, and the level of detail required will depend upon the role you have applied for and the qualification sought by the employer.

Work Experience

Also stated in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. For each position list your job title, the job title of the person you reported to and when you started and finished in each job.
Provide the name of the company and include a brief description of the service they provide (e.g. Financial Services, Trading House etc.)

Set out your main responsibilities, achievements, duties, and skills that could be transferred to another employer.
Salary details are generally not included in your CV. These details may be required by the prospective employer, although they are best revealed later on in the recruitment process.

Interests and Achievements

List your interests, hobbies and achievements in a brief and concise way.

Skills

List skills which you have developed, and include relevant information as to how they would be useful for the prospective employer. It is often important to emphasise the level to which you are skilled in particular areas. Example: Microsoft Word- Intermediate, PowerPoint - Advanced User

How you present these skills, and to which you give more emphasis to, will depend on the role you are applying for, and the job specification.

What makes a good CV?

1. Make your CV simple and as clear as possible. That means keeping descriptions brief, factual and to the point. Bullet points are generally acceptable.
2. A clear, logical format is important when perfecting your CV. Make sure your CV flows, making it as easy to read as possible.
3. Your CV should be no longer than two pages in length, although three may be acceptable for some employers.
4. State clearly the type of work you want and why you are qualified. Remember to provide truthful and concise information.
5. Eliminate all unnecessary detail. Keep content precise, relevant and to the point.
6. Remove all spelling mistakes. Spell Check, and Check Again.
7. Use standardised fonts which are easy to read and are not too large or too small. Font sizes 10- 12 are generally acceptable.
8. Be Positive. Avoid the use of negative words and phrases.

To get the support you need, click here to find the organisations that provide employment services.